Why The Bad-rap About Nigeria/ns By Abdoulaye Saine

Many Africans, including Nigerians and foreigners alike, rightly or wrongly, describe Nigerians as overly abrasive and unscrupulous while its leadership, in general, is irredeemably greedy and corrupt.  The list goes on!  For a student of African Affairs who has studied Nigeria for the last quarter century and more but never visited the country, I had the occasion to do just that for nine days in May 2009.  Before my visit, I was bombarded with a staple of horrid stories about the country and its peoples; stories that ranged from cases of armed robbery, to kidnapping of foreigners and fraudulent financial deals against unsuspecting foreigners and business partners.  The refrain from everyone was the same- be careful and watch your back.  You know how those Nigerians are.

Granted, I was in Lagos, more precisely, Victoria Island (VI) where life is markedly different from the mainland's teeming population and sprawl. With a population estimated conservatively to hover around fifteen million along with six thousand West African immigrants arriving in Lagos each day, and cars, trucks and "Okadas" (motor-bicycle taxis) numbering in the millions- Lagos is remarkably vibrant and orderly.  Never mind the traffic "Go-slow," the seemingly interminable fuel lines and a population almost twice the size of New York City's.  Thanks in part to Governor Fashola, who by all estimates, is doing a remarkable job.  He is cleaning up Lagos, reigning in corruption with massive infrastructure investments to boot.  The construction boom is not lost on the visitor, as the massive buildings a la Las Vegas mode are evident.  In Lekki, Banana Island and environs, Nigerians are constructing houses, hotels and office building as if the global economic crisis had literally passed them by.  This speaks to the best qualities of Nigerians- bold, optimistic and a larger-than-life vision. While most Nigerians, both young and old lament the level of corruption and poor leadership, many look to a future of opportunity under a visionary leadership.

Nigeria, a relatively young country of less than fifty years has its share of development challenges- but which country does not? It is remarkable that the sheer size of the country and its diverse population has not spawned more social tensions.  Yes, there was a bloody civil war in the 1970s and continuing tensions in the oil-rich Delta region and religious friction in the North between Muslims and Christians.  Yet, these pale in comparison to ongoing bloodbaths in DRC, Sri-Lanka, and undemocratic Egypt or even India.  Take India for an instance, a country that boasts centuries-old civilizations, albeit, saddled with social problems that are just as old and intractable.  Nonetheless, India receives relatively more favorable press coverage than does Nigeria.   And like Nigeria, India also has its share of odd customs that have not tarnished its image as much, while Nigeria and Nigerians suffer continuous negative press, fueled by some Africans and Nigerians.

Contrary to generally held negative perceptions of Nigerians, they are a gracious and hospitable people who are welcoming of visitors. This is not the case in many parts of the world. Why then have Nigerians and Nigeria had such a bad-rap?  In a country of over 130 million or more along with a large Diaspora, one is certain to find many bad apples.  Regrettably, it is the bad apples that give Nigeria and Nigerians their less than flattering image. I am not arguing that all is well in Lagos and/or Nigeria nor am I insinuating that what is said about Nigeria or some Nigerians is baseless.  All I am simply saying is that Nigeria and Nigerians have for too long been singled out, and sometimes unjustifiably, for negative press when comparable or worse conditions exist elsewhere but without the negativity.  This has to do perhaps with its size and role as "big brother" in the sub-region of Africa and the leadership role Nigeria assumes on many African issues.  Part of it also has to do with criminal or unscrupulous activity by some Nigerians resident at home and abroad- activity that other foreign nationals may also be just as guilty.

Does Nigeria stand to benefit from good governance and probity and accountability for its leadership?  Most certainly- but so do many countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.  European democracies and the USA are frequently held out as examples of "order," and "stability," which they are.  However, corporate leadership financial lapses- corruption and mismanagement in these countries are all too familiar.  Witness the current economic crisis, which in spite of its havoc globally, appears not to have soiled leaders' images beyond repair.

While in Victoria Island/Lagos a "big-man" fell from grace following corruption charges; the press remains vibrant and relatively independent and not given to praise-singing of the leadership, as in some African countries.  And if the news hour on Nigeria National Television is any indication, a sense of national cohesion and regional connectedness is being forged since news items are filed from different parts of this huge country.  This may be insignificant to many who come to Nigeria expecting comparable conditions that exist in Europe and the USA.  For this class of visitors, including some Diaspora Nigerians- nothing in Lagos/ Nigeria works.  To the contrary Nigeria works and there is order!    Even the ubiquitous traffic "Go-slow" has its own logic- preventing what otherwise, would be deadly accidents- I saw none.  And while the periodic police checkpoints were common, they were not obnoxious and officers generally were found to be professional.  Reported instances of road-rage often result in shouting-matches, and seldom, if at all, in gun violence.

In spite of these or perhaps because of them many quibble still about these challenges.  These challenges have not, however, dampened expatriate or "expat" enthusiasm for Nigeria where profits are to be had. In fact, of the foreign nationals processed by Customs and Immigration officials at Murtala Muhammad Airport, the majority was of European stock- attracted by a relatively dynamic economy and aided in their daily lives by a handful of domestic helpers who take care of their every conceivable chore.  In general, they live lifestyles not imaginable in Europe or the US, except for the very wealthy.  Lagos is also home to enterprising West Africans of all inclinations who flock to it because of opportunity but without the stigma and violence associated with this status in other countries-not yet at least.

Nigerians generally enjoy life and there are ample opportunities to do just that if you have the money.  There are the large American-style residences, malls, restaurants, and all kinds of entertainment to suit one's fancy. Admittedly, these establishments cater to the more prosperous classes, the downside of which, are: pervasive income and wealth inequality and crime- not unique to Lagos or Nigeria per se.  And potential tensions arising from social inequality are to an extent dampened by informal support networks and "prosperity" evangelism, which is in boom.

In Nigeria, religious tolerance is, therefore, the norm rather than the exception.  I had occasion to attend a church service at The House on the Rock, run by a young and dynamic architect-turned-pastor, Paul Adefarasin, which caters to a well-to-do and not so-well-to-do flock, as well as to the African American "expat" community. For the latter, despite minor inconveniences, Lagos/Nigeria is the place to be.  Equally, at a Friday (Jumma) prayer at a mosque near the American International School of Lagos (AISL), worshipers of all nationalities- Asian, Arab and other African Muslims were treated to sermons in Arabic, Hausa and English.

Granted, Lagos/VI is not representative of Nigeria as a whole. And in spite of the fact that I was somewhat insulated from the mainland's harsher realities (except for visits to an open-air restaurant for meals of fish and "Suya" (Nigerian Kebabs) and Balogun and Lekki Markets, I left Lagos energized and hopeful about Nigeria and Africa's future. The current optimism that Lagos State Governor Fashola has inspired among residents of Lagos itself and the country as a whole is palpable and likely to spread.  However, a friend and colleague from graduate school who heads Nigeria's Institute of International Affairs' research division cautioned that "I had visited Lagos at the right time," hinting a visit earlier could have yielded different impressions.

Notwithstanding, the pervasive feeling is that many more governors will likely emulate Fashola's no-none sense attitude and nudge their respective states to address the myriad social and economic challenges.  It will take, a young banker and a lawyer told me: a visionary leadership, good governance, prudent economic management policies, and the fair distribution of the country's tremendous wealth, while simultaneously fighting endemic corruption for Nigeria to realize its potential. All daunting challenges to be sure, but no peoples are more suited to meeting them than are Nigerians.

Abdoulaye Saine, Ph.D., is professor of African Studies, Political Economy, International Relations and interim-Chair, Department of Political Science, Miami University, Oxford, OH.